9 连荣华（武吉班让单选区议员）先生询问人力部长：

(a) 技能创前程求职援助计划的设计依据和考虑因素是什么？

(b) 如何评估申请该计划的个人是否符合所需条件？

(c) 是否有上诉途径？

10 郭献川（哥本峇鲁单选区议员）先生询问人力部长：技能创前程求职援助计划的受助人会否获得社会及家庭发展部或选区层面提供的其他形式的短期财政援助？

陈诗龙医生（人力部长)：议长先生，请允许我回答今天（9月9日）的第9号和第10号口头问题。此外，我还将回答定于明天（2024年9月10日）会议上提出的三个口头问题。

议长：请开始。

陈诗龙医生：议员们已提交这些与技能创前程求职援助计划有关的议会问题 (PQ)。我将一起回答这五个问题，以便能够给出更全面的答复。

连荣华先生询问了该计划设计的基础和考虑因素。总理和我分享了政府在设计求职援助计划时的考虑因素。让我重申一下要点。

首先，我们希望创造一种比失业保险更好的替代方案。我们从其他国家看到，失业保险如何使个人更愿意继续失业。我们还听到了雇主对企业成本上升的反馈，我们不希望雇主通过削减工资或停止发放裁员补贴的做法来抵消保险计划的成本。

这就是为什么我们要寻找更好的替代方案，以尽量减少我们在其他地方看到的负面结果。我们的目标是支持非自愿失业者重新找到更适合他们技能和经验的工作，而不是因为经济压力而急于从事不适合的工作。

但与此同时，从“新加坡携手前进”（Forward Singapore）活动中，我们听到新加坡人分享说，个人责任应该仍然是我们社会契约的基石。因此，这项计划应尽量减少潜在的道德风险，支持求职者重新就业，而不是继续失业。求职者需要发挥自己的作用，对自己的行为负责，努力重新就业。就政府而言，我们将继续通过就业促进和培训计划，大力支持求职者。

接下来，我将回答有关谁有资格参加求职援助计划的问题。对于潘群勤（非选区议员）女士提出的问题，我们已将该计划的目标人群定位为非自愿失业前每月收入不超过 5,000 新元的中低收入职工。这略高于公民职工的月收入中位数，这个组别人士也是最有可能面临一些财务压力的群体。根据这一收入标准，超过六成的非自愿失业公民可以从该计划中受益。

叶汉荣先生询问“居住在年值25,000新元的房产中”这一条件是如何确定的。政府的各种向经济能力较低的个人或家庭提供较高福利的援助计划，住房年值是用来确定家庭财富的代用指标。求职援助计划的25,000新元门槛与其他计划（如消费税补助券计划）保持一致。这涵盖了约75%的住宅物业，包括所有组屋单位（HDB）。

连荣华先生询问了如何评估申请人的资格。所有求职援助申请都将通过一个系统进行评估，该系统包括利用现有政府数据进行自动检查以及由专门的劳动力发展局 (WSG) 团队进行的进一步核实检查。对于不符合资格标准的个人，将根据具体情况评估上诉。

潘群勤（非选区议员）女士还询问为什么永久居民 (PR) 与新加坡公民 (SC) 都有资格参加该计划。这与其他就业促进计划没有区别。例如，新加坡公民和永久居民在劳动力发展局 (WSG)计划下获得相同的支持，例如职业配对服务和职业转换计划。

我想强调的是，新加坡人将始终是政府政策的核心，同时我们也欢迎那些能够为新加坡做出承诺和贡献的人。我们的公民在住房、医疗保健、教育和养育子女等多个领域获得了最多的援助和福利。但是，永久居民表达了他们对新加坡的承诺，并为我们的社会和经济实力做出了贡献。因此，同样地，我们也应该支持陷入困境的新加坡永久居民找到好工作，使他们能够养活自己，并为我们的经济做出贡献。

现在我将回答有关发放款项的问题。符合资格的申请人只要积极寻找工作，便可在六个月内获发最高6,000新元的援助金。潘勤群女士询问为什么发放金额会随着时间的推移而递减。我们设计了了一个放款时间表，在前几个月发放较高的金额，以便为求职者提供更多的前期保证。这些款项从第二个月开始逐渐减少，以鼓励求职者在找到合适的工作后尽早开始工作。我们不希望他们推迟重返工作岗位，因为这会降低他们的就业能力。此外，由于该计划旨在鼓励个人找到合适的工作并留在工作岗位上，因此那些已获发放补助金的求职者，在上次获得补助金后的三年内，将不能再次提出申请。

我必须强调，我们不应孤立地看待总额高达6,000新元的补助金。它实际上是对政府更广泛的支持生态系统的补充。

郭献川先生曾询问该计划的受益人是否还可以从其他经济援助计划中受益。答案是肯定的。虽然求职援助计划并非为有更大经济需求的家庭提供社会援助，但受益人仍然有权在符合条件的情况下从政府的社会援助计划中获得支持，如社区关怀计划（ComCare）中短期援助和消费税补助券计划。

与颜添宝先生提出的问题类似，只要符合所有这些计划的资格标准，求职援助计划的受益人可以同时获得技能创前程进阶计划（SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme）的资助，该计划旨在支持职业中期人士进行实质性的技能提升和再培训。因此，我们鼓励求职者积极探索提升技能和重新掌握技能的方法，以便重新找到更好的工作。

最后，议长先生，求职援助计划标志着政府模式的转变，它反映了我们的承诺，即我们将始终帮助那些站出来想为自己做更多事情的人提供资源。总理曾表示，在我们规划新加坡的前进道路时，需要进行一次重大调整。

这是政府政策的重新调整，同样重要的是，也是新加坡人观点和态度的重新调整。我们将定期审查该计划，以确保我们为非自愿失业人士提供必要的支持。

议长先生： 有请连荣华先生。 

连荣华先生（武吉班让单选区议员）：议长先生，我有两个补充问题要问部长。议长先生，多年来，人民行动党国会议员和劳工运动一直要求为求职者提供支持援助。我记得在我首次出任国会议员时，也曾提出过这个问题。因此，我很高兴政府终于采取了行动。我想请问部长，为什么是现在？

第二个问题是：根据该计划，标准规定非常严格，例如工资上限为5,000新元，房屋年值不超过25,000新元，财政救济也最多为6个月。那么，我能否请问部长，该部是如何确定该计划是否足以帮助求职者，以及它能否实现我们所设定的目标？

陈诗龙医生：感谢连荣华先生提出的两个补充问题。为什么现在推出该计划？我们在几年前就开始研究这个问题，在“新加坡携手前进”（Forward Singapore）活动对话中，我们还就该计划的设计征求了许多新加坡同胞的意见。我们向许多其他国家学习，了解他们为本国公民提供的失业救济金。我们最终确定了求职援助计划，这实际上也是在更新和刷新社会契约。展望未来，变革和混乱的步伐只会加快。我们可能会看到，由于个人无法控制的因素，甚至在个人职业生涯健康发展的过程中，失业率会更高。

因此，通过多次对话，我们听到了新加坡人要求在处理非自愿失业问题时提供更大保障的呼声。所以，正如我所提到的，现在是时候重新开始了。这项计划标志着政府模式的转变。我们花了不少时间仔细研究这项计划，以确保我们避免海外失业保险计划的弊端，因为海外的失业保险计划可能会诱使个人产生虚假的安全感，使他们更愿意继续失业。在最终设计该计划时，我们听取了三方合作伙伴、企业和公众的不同反馈意见。尽管如此，我们保证我们将继续审查该计划的参数。在确定该计划的规模时，我们将该计划的目标人群定位为每月收入不超过5,000 新元的中低收入阶层工人。我们的月工资中位数约为4,500新元以上。

因此，我们将该计划的目标群体定位于非自愿失业前月收入不超过 5,000 元的中低收入工人。因此，我们将其定在略高于居民工人月收入中位数的水平，因为这一群体更有可能面临一定的经济压力。

我们还使用住宅物业的年值作为确定家庭财富的指标，因为这也与政府的其他援助计划类似，这些计划为收入较低的个人或家庭提供更高的福利。求职援助计划的门槛为25,000新元，与其他计划（例如 GST 补助券计划）一致，涵盖约75%的住宅物业，包括所有组屋。正如我所说的，我们认为六个月的补助金发放期限内，足以保证求职者找到合适的工作，同时鼓励他们及时重返职场。

所以，这是第一步。我想重申，我们将定期审查该计划，以确保能为非自愿失业的居民提供必要和需要的支持。

议长：有请郭献川先生。

郭献川先生（哥本峇鲁单选区议员）：议长先生，我感谢部长的答复。我赞赏 技能创前程求职援助计划（SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme）的设计，因为我国人民无需支付保险费即可从中受益。我还注意到，许多新加坡人的家庭成员都是永久居民，他们将从中受益。

我想问一个补充问题。尽管我们在推行这一具有里程碑意义的计划时必须严格控制标准，但政府能否考虑为居住在私人住宅区的新加坡人提出申请，这些人的情况值得考虑，例如那些居住在人均收入较低的家庭（我是指大家庭）的人，那些住房资产有限的人，以及那些并不拥有其所居住的私人住宅的人？

陈诗龙医生：感谢郭先生的补充问题。我想再次向议员保证，我们将根据具体情况考虑不符合资格标准的个人。正如我之前所分享的，我们会根据所掌握的政府数据，自动进行第一部分的资格审查。但对于那些想要上诉的人，我们将根据具体情况予以考虑。

BASIS OF SKILLSFUTURE JOBSEEKER SUPPORT SCHEME AND CONSIDERATIONS FOR APPLICATIONS（1）

9 Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what are the bases and considerations in the design of the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme; (b) how will the assessment be done as to whether individuals applying to the scheme meet the conditions required; and (c) whether there will be avenues for appeals.

10 Mr Kwek Hian Chuan Henry asked the Minister for Manpower whether recipients under the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme will benefit from other forms of short-term financial assistance from the Ministry of Social and Family Development or that provided at the constituency level.

The Minister for Manpower (Dr Tan See Leng): Mr Speaker, may I have your permission to address oral Question Nos 9 and 10 for today, 9 September. In addition, I will address three oral questions scheduled for the Sitting tomorrow, 10 September 2024. 

Mr Speaker: Please proceed. 

Dr Tan See Leng: Members have filed these Parliamentary Questions (PQs) relating to the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme. I will respond to these five questions together so that I can give and provide a more holistic reply. 

Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked about the bases and the considerations in the design of the scheme. The Prime Minister and I have shared the Government’s considerations in designing the Jobseeker Support scheme. Let me reiterate the key points.

 First, we wanted to create a better alternative to unemployment insurance. We have seen from other countries how unemployment insurance can make it more attractive for individuals to stay unemployed. We have also heard feedback from employers about rising business costs and we do not want employers to offset the costs of an insurance scheme by cutting wages or by stopping the practice of retrenchment benefit.

 That is why we searched for a better alternative to minimise the negative outcomes that we have seen elsewhere. Our objective is to support involuntarily unemployed individuals to rebound into jobs that better match and fit their skills and experience, instead of rushing into ill-fitting jobs due to financial pressures.

 But at the same time, from the Forward Singapore exercise, we have heard Singaporeans share that personal responsibility should remain a cornerstone in our social compact. Hence, the scheme should minimise the potential moral hazard by supporting jobseekers to regain employment and not continued unemployment. Jobseekers will need to play their part, to take responsibility for their actions and make an effort to bounce back into work. On the Government’s part, we will continue to strongly support jobseekers through employment facilitation and training programmes.

 I will next answer questions on who will qualify for the Jobseeker Support scheme. To Ms Hazel Poa’s question, we have targeted the scheme at the lower- to-middle-income worker earning up to $5,000 per month before becoming involuntarily unemployed. This is slightly above the median monthly income of resident workers and it is the group that is more likely to face some financial pressures. With this income criterion, more than six in 10 residents who are involuntarily unemployed can benefit from the scheme.

 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked how the condition “residing in a property with an annual value of $25,000” was determined. Annual value is used as a proxy to determine households’ wealth for various Government support schemes that provide higher benefits to individuals or households with lower means. The threshold of $25,000 for the Jobseeker Support scheme is aligned with other schemes, such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Voucher scheme. This covers about 75% of residential properties, including all Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats.

Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked how applicants’ eligibility will be assessed. All Jobseeker Support applications will be assessed via a system that comprises automated checks using available Government data and further verification checks done by a dedicated Workforce Singapore (WSG) team. For individuals who do not meet the eligibility criteria, appeals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

 Ms Hazel Poa also asked why Permanent Residents (PRs) are eligible for the scheme alongside Singapore Citizens (SCs). This is no different from other employment facilitation programmes. For example, SCs and PRs receive the same support under WSG programmes, such as career matching services and Career Conversion Programmes.

 I want to stress that Singaporeans will always be at the heart of Government policies, even while we welcome those who can commit and contribute to Singapore. Our citizens receive the most support and benefit in several areas, including housing, healthcare, education and parenthood. But PRs have expressed their commitment to Singapore and contribute to our strengths as a society and economy. So, likewise, we should also support our PRs who fall onto hard times to get into good jobs so that they can support themselves and contribute to our economy.

 I will now move on to questions about the payouts. The payout quantum of up to $6,000 over six months is provided to eligible applicants who have demonstrated active job search efforts. Ms Hazel Poa asked why the payments are stepped down with time. We have designed the payout schedule to provide a higher payout in the earlier months to provide greater upfront assurance to jobseekers. These payouts are gradually reduced from the second month onwards to incentivise jobseekers to start work earlier if they find and land on a good-fitting job. We do not want them to delay their return into the workforce as it will diminish their employability. In addition, as the scheme is designed to encourage individuals to find a job with good fit and be retained in the job, those who have received payouts will not be able to make another application within three years of their last payout.

 I must emphasise that the total payout of up to $6,000 should not be viewed in isolation. It actually complements the Government’s broader ecosystem of support. 

Mr Henry Kwek had asked about whether beneficiaries of the scheme can also benefit from other financial assistance schemes. The answer is yes. While the Jobseeker Support scheme is not designed as a form of social assistance for households with greater financial needs, beneficiaries are still entitled to receive support from the Government’s social assistance schemes where eligible, such as ComCare Short-to-Medium Term Assistance and the GST Voucher scheme.

Similarly to Mr Gan Thiam Poh's question, beneficiaries of the Jobseeker Support scheme can concurrently qualify for the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme that supports mid-career individuals to pursue substantive upskilling and reskilling, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria for all of these respective schemes. So, we encourage jobseekers to actively explore ways to upskill, to reskill themselves to bounce back into better jobs.

To conclude, Mr Speaker, Sir, the Jobseeker Support scheme marks a paradigm shift for the Government and it reflects our commitment that we will always help and provide resources for those who step up and want to do more for themselves. The Prime Minister had said that a major reset is needed as we chart Singapore's way forward.

This is a reset in the Government's policies and, just as importantly, a reset of Singaporeans' views and attitudes. We will regularly review the scheme to ensure that we provide necessary support to the involuntarily unemployed.

Mr Speaker: Mr Liang Eng Hwa. 

Mr Liang Eng Hwa (Bukit Panjang): Mr Speaker, there are two supplementary questions for the Minister. Sir, for many years, the People's Action Party (PAP) Members of Parliament (MPs) and the Labour Movement have asked for support assistance for the jobseekers. I remember even during my first term as an MP in this House, this was also raised. So, I am glad that the Government has finally made the move. Can I ask the Minister, why now?

The second question is: under this scheme, the criteria have been tightly structured, such as with the salary cap of $5,000, the annual value of not more than $25,000, the financial relief is also for a maximum of six months. So, can I ask the Minister how the Ministry determines the sufficiency of this scheme to help jobseekers and whether it will achieve the outcomes that we have set out to achieve?

Dr Tan See Leng: I thank Mr Liang Eng Hwa for his two supplementary questions. Why is the scheme being introduced now? We started looking at it a number of years ago and, as a result of our Forward Singapore conversations, we have also sought feedback from many of our fellow Singaporeans on the design of the scheme. We have also learnt from many other countries, in terms of their own unemployment benefits for their respective citizens. And we eventually sized up the Jobseeker Support scheme, which is really about also renewing and refreshing the social compact. If we look ahead, the pace of change and disruptions will only accelerate. We may see a higher incidence of job displacements due to factors beyond an individual's control and even as they build their career health.

So, because of the multiple dialogues we have had, we have heard calls from Singaporeans for greater assurance in dealing with involuntary job loss. So, the reset, as I have mentioned, is now. The scheme marks a paradigm shift for the Government. We have taken the time to study the scheme carefully to ensure that we avoid the pitfalls seen in unemployment insurance schemes overseas where it can lull individuals into a false sense of security by making it more attractive for them to stay unemployed. We took in the different feedback from our tripartite partners, businesses and the public in the eventual design of the scheme. And having said that, our assurance is that we will continue to review the parameters of the scheme. In our sizing of this scheme itself, we have targeted the scheme at the lower- to middle-income worker earning up to $5,000 per month. Our median monthly wage is about $4,500-plus.

So, we have sized it for the lower- to middle-income worker earning up to $5,000 per month before becoming involuntarily unemployed. So, this is sized at just above the median monthly income of resident workers, as this is the group that is more likely to face some financial pressure. 

We also used the annual value of residential property as a proxy to determine households' wealth because this is, again, similar to other Government support schemes that provide higher benefits to individuals or households with lower means. This threshold of $25,000 for the Jobseeker Support scheme is aligned with other schemes, such as the GST Voucher scheme, and it covers about 75% of residential properties, including all HDB flats. And as I have said, for the six-month duration of payouts, we think it provides sufficient assurance for jobseekers to find good fitting jobs and at the same time, it encourages them to re-enter the workforce in a timely manner.

So, this is the first step. I want to reiterate that we will regularly review the scheme to ensure that we provide the necessary and needed support for the involuntarily unemployed residents.

Mr Speaker: Mr Henry Kwek.

Mr Kwek Hian Chuan Henry (Kebun Baru): Mr Speaker, I thank the Minister for his response. I appreciate the design of the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme as our people need not pay an insurance premium to benefit from it. I also note that many Singaporeans have family members who are PRs and they will benefit.

I would like to ask a supplementary question. Notwithstanding the fact that we have to tightly control the criteria as we roll this landmark programme out, can the Government consider appeals for Singaporeans in private estates, with deserving circumstances, such as those living in households with a low per capita income – large households, I mean – those with limited housing equity and those who do not own the private housing that they live in? 

Dr Tan See Leng: I thank Mr Henry Kwek for his supplementary questions. I want to reassure the Member that we will consider individuals who do not meet the eligibility criteria on a case-by-case basis. The first part on eligibility checks, as I have shared earlier on, based on whatever Government data we have, will be automatic. But for those who want to appeal, we will consider them on a case-by-case basis.